Join the Conversation

Time is running out to thank WWII vets

Sun-News editorial board
Published 6:06 p.m. MT Aug. 9, 2017

Buy Photo

Simon Mendoza, a 94-year-old World War II veteran who fought in the Pacific Theater, was honored by the Las Cruces City Council, Monday Aug. 7, 2017. During a short ceremony at the start of the city council meeting, Mayor Ken Miyagishima awarded Mendoza a medal from the city in appreciation of his service to the country.(Photo: Josh Bachman/Sun-News)Buy Photo

Simon Mendoza was like so many others from what has been called the “greatest generation.”

He enlisted in the U.S. Army in February, 1943, a little more than a year after the attack on Pearl Harbor, and was shipped out and in combat before the year was out.

He didn’t talk much about the war, his grandson, Jerry Mendoza, said. But he did relate one story — of taking all day to inch his way up a hill on his belly in order to position himself to toss a grenade into an enemy position.

It was for that act that Mendoza won the Bronze Star, his grandson said.

Along with the Bronze Star, Mendoza was also awarded the Combat Infantryman’s Badge. He also participated in two separate beach landings, fortunately escaping heavy combat each time.

Mendoza was eligible for other medals, but the records needed to confirm the acts of valor were lost in a 1973 fire at the national archives, his grandson said.

And then, at the war’s end in 1945, he was discharged from the Army and returned to his family and his life.

He never sought further recognition.

On Monday, Mendoza was honored by the city of Las Cruces for his service to our country. He was the 122nd local veteran to be recognized by the city since Mayor Ken Miyagishima started the effort to highlight veterans in 2008.

Now 94, Mendoza looked to be strong and healthy as he was joined by family members for the presentation He is still doing well for his age, his grandson said.

“He’s a great American hero, and he looks like he’s 74, not 94,” Miyagishima said.

He’s one of the few from that generation who are still with us.

According to the National World War II Museum, of the 16 million Americans who served in WWII, only about 558,000 veterans are still alive, including about 3,870 in New Mexico.

It’s estimated that more than 1,000 WWII veterans are lost each day.

“Every day, memories of World War II — it’s sights and sounds, it’s terrors and triumphs — disappear. Yielding to the inalterable process of aging, the men and women who fought and won the great conflict are now in their 80s and 90s,” the National World War II Museum notes.

We commend city efforts to honor all veterans, but are especially pleased when those like Mendoza and others of his generation are recognized.